How To Prevent Common Injuries To Children In The Household
- Written by Daily Bulletin
Until they start school, most kids spend their time at home. Here, they can explore, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. Children are also naturally curious and can be easily distracted. This can lead them to experiment with things that can be harmful to them. The vast majority of children's injuries can be anticipated and avoided. It is important to learn how to prevent them because some can be fatal.
Drowning
According to the brain injury attorneys at 216lawyers.com, drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage to children or even kill them. These accidents can occur in a bathtub, swimming pools, and rivers, among other locations. Children between one and two years are more vulnerable because they can’t judge hazards quickly and are more mobile. Safety measures include:
- Never leave a child unattended in the bath. They can silently drown even in a few inches of water that may seem shallow. Ensure you have all you need before you take the child for a bath.
- Always keep the bathroom door locked when not in use.
- Immediately after use, ensure you empty all the water from the containers like buckets, bathtubs, etc.
- While at the swimming pool, always ensure the child is within arm’s length and always use a pool float.
- Never use your phone when you have a child near water. You can easily get distracted, and they drown.
Falling
Children are playful. It’s therefore very easy for them to trip and fall. This is among the most common injury causes for all children. The surface the child falls on and the height from which they fall determine the seriousness of the injury. To be safe:
- Remove all tripping hazards like electric cables and rugs and ensure the play area is clear. Also, remove chairs and tables from where children are playing.
- Don’t allow children to walk or run around with sharp objects in their hands, like knives.
- Install safety gates in the home, especially at the stairway.
- Ensure all the furniture is away from windows.
- Make sure your windows have locks
Burns
Children are likely to suffer from different burn injuries depending on their gender, age, and supervision level. Infants, for example, can get burned by hot liquids, while older ones can burn themselves while playing with fire. Here are some safety tips:
- Make sure flammable liquids, gases, lighters, and matches are kept away from children.
- Always ensure you have a fire extinguisher in your home, especially in the kitchen, where a fire is likely to occur. Show the children how to use it as well.
- Teach the children what to do in case of a fire outbreak. Tell them, for instance, to crawl and go to the nearest exit in case of such an event.
- Teach the children to avoid electric outlets and never stick any objects in the sockets.
- Never hold a child while drinking a hot beverage.
- Always check the water temperature before bathing a child to ensure it is at optimal levels.
Parents and other caregivers cannot be too careful when children are home. The risks of injuries due to drowning, falling, and burning are rife. They ought to take the necessary precautions to keep the children safe. Most accidents can be avoided if only the parents and caregivers adhere to the safety precautions.
Daily Bulletin
